Jenkinson's Ferry, battle of.
In 1864,
General Steele, at
Little Rock, Ark., tried to co-operate with the
Red River expedition, but was unable to do so effectually, for he was confronted by a heavy body of Confederates.
He started southward, March 23, with 8,000 troops, cavalry and infantry.
He was to be joined by
General Thayer at
Arkadelphia, with 5,000 men, but this was not then accomplished.
Steele pushed on for the purpose of flanking
Camden and drawing out
Price from his fortifications there.
Early in April
Steele was joined by
Thayer, and on the evening of the 15th they entered
Camden as victors.
Seriously menaced by gathering Confederates,
Steele, who, by the retreat of
Banks, had
[
139]
been released from duty elsewhere, moved towards
Little Rock.
He crossed the
Washita on the night of April 26.
At Jenkinson's Ferry, on the
Sabine River, he was attacked by an overwhelming force, led by
Gen. Kirby Smith in person.
Steele's troops, though nearly famished, fought desperately during a most sanguinary battle that ensued.
Three times the
Confederates charged heavily, and were repulsed.
The battle was fought by infantry alone, and the Nationals finally drove their adversaries and gained a complete victory.
Then they crossed the river and moved on towards
Little Rock.
In the struggle at Jenkinson's Ferry the
Confederates lost over 3,000 men, including more than 300 officers.
The
Nationals lost 700 killed and wounded.
Steele's broken army reached
Little Rock on May 2.
